Mooers Senior Housing offers three vacancies

MOOERS - In the 20 years since its inception, the Watson Memorial Senior Housing is facing a problem it's never seen - three vacancies.

According to Steven Sample, president of the nonprofit apartment complex, more commonly known as the Mooers Senior Housing, the vacancies all surfaced around the same time.

"It's always been rented," he explained. "We haven't had that many vacancies. We don't have a lot of turnover."

As a nonprofit, Sample said it's very important to fill the apartments as soon as possible.

"For some reason we're having a hard time to lease them," Sample explained. "We do have to generate revenue so we can maintain the facilities."

Although the apartment building is considered senior housing, according to the organizations by-laws, the apartments are not limited to seniors.

"Our rates are very competitive - $375 a month. Including heat and utilities," said Sample. "It's a nice value. It's a nice little community. There's some pretty neat people there."

Sample added he's found the people who currently live in the building to be a close-knit group, often keeping their doors open to other neighbors.

"It's a safe place to be," he said.

The apartment building offers a common room, which can be used for family gatherings and other events, and is where people eat when Meals on Wheels comes every day.

"[The building] is nothing fancy," Sample said. "There's not tennis court or indoor swimming pool. It's a place to live, a place to stay."

There are one- and two-bedroom apartments with cable and Internet access for rent, each having their own kitchen, dining room, living room and one bathroom. There is also a laundry room, and both elevator and stair access to all three floors.

With the current vacancies, Sample said the organization is taking the time to "spruce them up."

"We're putting new flooring in them ... and we're painting them and putting new stoves in two of them," he said. "We don't have a big turnover, so this is sort of unique. We took the opportunity to do some renovation work, which should be done in a week or two."

For more information about renting an apartment at Watson Memorial Senior Housing, call 236-7759 or leave a message at 236-6188.